HARIPUR: Speakers at a gathering of civil society organisations here the other day stressed the need of creating awareness among people, especially youth, about the democratic governance and civic liberties guaranteed under the Constitution and UN human rights framework.

The event titled ‘creating civic space – strengthening democracy’ was organised by Integrated Human Rights Network and Human Development Organisation.

Both the organisations are jointly implementing a project: ‘promoting civic freedoms in Pakistan’.

Project coordinator Mohammad Ahsan briefed the participants about the goals and objectives of the intervention, and said the activities aimed at knowledge building among members of civil society organisations, students, youth, political workers and academia for inclusive and democratic governance.

The speakers said for a thriving democracy the engagement of citizens with a proactive approach was imperative. “Unless we start looking at situations and issues around us with the civic lens, especially engaging citizens, the objective of shaping a better, ideal and democratic society would remain elusive,” they said.

The speakers said that being member of a global family every country was under surveillance of different international monitors that measured the level of respect for the civic rights and freedoms available for citizens.

Referring to the civic freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan, UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Economic and Cultural Rights, the speakers said for claiming space in the society it was incumbent on the citizens, especially the youth, to upscale their knowledge and understanding about the civic freedoms.

Khalid Khan Jadoon, chairman Public Forum, senior journalist Musharaf Hazarvi, Sajida Malik, executive director Aghaz Development Organisation, Fahad Malik from All Traders Association, Dr Farhan Iqbal Abbasi, Qazi Rizwan, Zarshad Mashwani and others were among those who spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2025